Recruiting from overseas
When local skills are in short supply, knowing how to recruit from overseas can help fill the gap. With a global recruitment network, we’re perfectly positioned to help you attract and recruit from overseas to overcome your talent shortage.
About Globalink at Hays
We are a London-based team of recruiters who facilitate the movement of professionals from the UK, Ireland, Europe, Canada and the US into jobs facing a skills shortage in New Zealand. By taking advantage of our extensive database, marketing, technology, industry relationships and migration partners, we quickly and reliably source talent from overseas for your hard-to-fill vacancies. It’s a simple process to help beat the skills shortage New Zealand is facing.
Over the last 15 years, we’ve filled thousands of jobs for employers who were struggling to attract local professionals with the skills needed.
We connect and engage with expats globally, and also seek to identify highly skilled professionals who are currently located in:
- United Kingdom and Ireland
- Europe
- Canada
- United States of America
Expertise based on experience
Our team of recruiters have all lived and worked in either Australia or New Zealand. Our experience allows us to offer candidates practical career advice for a successful relocation. This ensures a smoother process when employing people from overseas.
Hiring people from overseas
We recruit:
- Returning New Zealanders and their partners
- Permanent residents and those who have applied for residency
- Highly skilled professions who qualify for an employer-sponsored work visa
Our service
We will:
- Consult closely with you and your local Hays recruiter in New Zealand to understand your requirements
- Design an appropriate sourcing strategy to attract the skills you require for each country.
- Promote vacancies at in-person and virtual events with our UK-based industry and migration partners
- Pre-screen each candidate’s technical skills, personal situation and relocation status
- Manage the interview and, when relevant, offer process to ensure a smooth experience for your preferred overseas candidate/s
- Regularly communicate with your candidate/s until their arrival in New Zealand
Jobs we recruit for
We recruit the following professionals for jobs in New Zealand from our London office – candidates are not considered unless they hold the appropriate visa or right to work:
Senior Finance:
Financial Accountants, Management Accountants, Commercial Analysts, Financial Analysts, Finance Managers, Finance Business Partners, Internal Auditors, Financial Controllers, Tax Managers and Business Services Managers.
Accountancy Support:
Accounts Payable Officers, Assistant Accountants, Accounts Officers, Credit Controllers and Accounts Receivable Officers.
Technology:
Data Analysts, Data Scientists, Software Developers, Cyber Security Experts, Infrastructure Architects, CRM professionals, Automation experts, Cloud experts, IT Project Managers and Change Managers.
Construction:
Quantity Surveyors, Construction/Project Directors, Project Managers, Site Managers, Project/Site Engineers and Qualified Tradespeople.
Engineering
Electrical Engineers (power industry), Civil & Structural Design Engineers, Geotechnical Engineers and Building Services (M&E and HVAC) Engineers.
Architecture:
Project Architects, BIM Designers, Revit Technicians, Chartered Architects and Town and Urban Planners.
Marketing & Digital:
Marketing Managers, Brand Managers, Digital Marketing Managers, Social Media Managers, CRM, PR Managers, Communications Directors and Marketing Directors.
Office Support:
Receptionists, Project Administrators, Project Coordinators, Data Entry Operators, Sales Coordinators, EAs, PAs, Customer Service Officers, Administrators, Office Managers and Team Assistants.
Human Resources:
HR Assistants, HR Coordinators, HR Officers, HR Advisors, HR Business Partners, HR Managers, HR Directors, Recruiters, Talent Acquisition specialists, Learning & Development Coordinators, Learning & Development Advisors and Learning & Development Managers.
Common Q&As
Following are the most common questions we’re asked by employers who are considering recruiting skilled professionals from overseas:
Where do you look for talent overseas?
We predominantly focus on sourcing talent from the UK and Ireland, as well as Europe, Canada and the US. However, for niche roles the skills required may be more prevalent in other parts of the world. At Hays, we operate in 33 countries. We can tap into this extensive network to support our search where relevant. Based on your requirements, we can determine whether a search outside the UK and Ireland, for instance, would be beneficial.
How can I obtain a visa for an overseas worker?
An employer must gain ‘approved’ status before relocating talent with no prior work rights. We encourage you to engage with a registered migration agent and visit the New Zealand immigration website to review current regulations. Please note that visa processing times vary, with sponsorship averaging around six weeks from submission date.
What is the standard interview process?
We conduct the initial screening from our London office, before arranging a second video interview with your local Hays Consultant in New Zealand. A third interview then takes place with you, again via video. If required, additional testing and assessment can then be undertaken.
What is a standard relocation package?
While packages do vary, standard relocation packages include all visa costs, flights, accommodation on arrival and a set amount to cover shipping costs for personal belongings.
Case studies
Westpac
| The brief | The strategy | The outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Recruit multiple Financial Auditors
with global markets experience
|
• Hays database engagement
• UK website campaign
• UK newspaper media campaign
• Campaign careers website
• Google advertising
• Industry association targeted mailshot
|
• 400 applications
• 20 screening interviews conducted by Hays in London
• 8 interviews with Westpac
• 4 offers and acceptances
|
“I found the help, advice and support I received from Hays invaluable. Hays helped me understand the role and the company and appeared very knowledgeable in the Australian market. I was particularly pleased by the fact that my consultant sacrificed much of their holiday time to arrange a second interview for me. This was very challenging and time consuming because they had to arrange a video conference at a London hotel.”
- Josam Watson
Placed in a banking role in Australia from London
Jet Aviaton
| The brief | The strategy | The outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Source Aircraft Life Support Engineers for sponsored positions in Adelaide | • Targeted approaches to qualified professionals on the Hays UK and Hays Ireland databases
• UK website campaign, targeting specialist job boards, social media and key geographies
|
• Over 200 applications
• 15 screening interviews conducted by Hays
• 10 registration interviews conducted by Hays in Adelaide
• 5 interviews with Hawker Pacific
• 2 offers accepted
• 4 candidates pipelined for positions in other Australian locations
|
“Hays was able to source a number of global candidates quite quickly and was also able to add value through their in-country presence and assistance, providing a level of comfort to the transition of relocating to another country both for the candidate and ourselves as an employer. I cannot speak more highly of the responsiveness, commitment and professionalism displayed by Hays, even with time zone differences, to achieve the right outcome for our business.”
- Johnathan Harris
HR Business Partner